<p>Hafiz said, “Hmm, so she’s Abba’s daughter? No wonder she looks like Ummi.”</p><p>Abbu then said, “ANEESA, let’s go to the dining room so you can eat, and then you can go inside to rest.”</p><p>She responded, “Okay.”</p><p>Beela remained silent and didn’t say anything.</p><p>A young man, who didn’t look older than 30, entered with an elderly man, both of them smiling warmly.</p><p>The young man asked, “Where’s my sister?”</p><p>Before anyone could answer, he went straight to NEESA and hugged her, saying, “I knew it! You must be my sister because you look just like Ummi.”</p><p>She smiled.</p><p>The elderly man then said, “She’s my bride-to-be.”</p><p>Someone confirmed, “Yes.”</p><p>At that moment, everyone, including Abba, knelt as a sign of respect—it was clear that the elderly man was their father, the grandfather of SUDAIS.</p><p>Before anyone could say much, the household children had already gathered around NEESA, staring at her in curiosity.</p><p>Abba then said, “Son, come and greet your sister.”</p><p>As he approached, he extended his hand for a handshake, but NEESA ignored him, clasping her hands together in an Indian-style gesture.</p><p>Her action irritated him deeply, and he thought to himself, If it weren’t for Abba, I wouldn’t even want to shake hands with you, an ill-mannered girl. I already have Malama Batul.</p><p>NEESA, however, simply ignored him and continued doing her own thing.</p><p>But she refused to speak to her mother, even when Abba tried to talk to her. She only spoke with Umma, Abbu, the other household members, and the young man who had entered earlier—Hamza, who looked exactly like SUDAIS.</p><p>Then, Alhaji spoke up: “Call the rest of the family so we can eat.”</p><p>Farida got up and went to Mummy’s section to call her and her children. Mummy arrived looking upset and full of attitude, but no one paid attention to her or her children because they all knew her behavior.</p><p>At that moment, Daddy entered and asked, “Where’s Batul?”</p><p>Mummy replied, “She hasn’t returned yet; she’s still at school.”</p><p>Without saying another word, they started eating.</p><p>Umma and NEESA ate together.</p><p>Ummi pointed to the Indian dishes, but NEESA didn’t even glance at them. Umma signaled to her with her eyes not to worry about it.</p><p>After they finished eating, SUDAIS stood up, and NEESA followed him with her eyes until he disappeared into his section.</p><p>Abbu then said, “Dear, go with Farida so she can show you the rooms and you can choose one.”</p><p>NEESA replied, "Abbu, I actually want that one," pointing at SUDAIS' room.</p><p>Abba said, “That’s your elder brother SUDAIS' room; please choose another one.”</p><p>Seeing that she frowned, Alhaji intervened, saying, “My bride’s request must be honored.”</p><p>Abbu then ordered, “Hamza, call SUDAIS.”</p><p>Hamza responded, "Okay," and both of them returned together.</p><p>Abbu told SUDAIS, “Pack up everything important to you and move to the boys’ quarters because ANEESA will be staying here now.”</p><p>SUDAIS exclaimed, “What?”</p><p>Abbu asked, “Do you dare disobey me?”</p><p>Abba objected, “Honestly, this isn’t fair to SUDAIS.”</p><p>Umma insisted, “He must leave it for her since he’s the eldest.”</p><p>Ummi protested, “But it’s unfair to just kick him out; everyone knows how much SUDAIS loves his room.”</p><p>Umma replied, “A person can even lose their life, let alone a room.”</p><p>Seeing that they were wasting her time, NEESA started fake crying.</p><p>Umma quickly rushed to her, worried. “Subhanallah, baby, what’s wrong?”</p><p>Still crying, NEESA said, "I know I’m not wanted here. Even a simple room is being denied to me. I’ll just go back to where I came from," she finished, dramatically dragging her suitcase.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
